Add length to any skirt using this simple technique. This is an easy sew technique for the beginner sewer, no sewing machine needed.
A couple of weeks ago there was a big event at work and we were asked to dress up in formal attire. Now I am a huge girly girl so that meant SHOPPING!!! Saturday morning we got up and went to the mall for some retail therapy. I found a cute dress at JCPennys for only $15 and I absolutely fell in love. It fit me perfectly and hugged the right curves and hid the bad ones.
The only problem was that it was just a little too short. Oh, how I hate my ugly knees
Well, I am a crafty kinda girl so I figured I could solve the problem and add length to the skirt. At first I was just going to try to find a black fabric that was similar to the dress and create a ruffle on the bottom. But I found this in the trim section at JoAnn’s Fabric and it was perfect! The ruffled trim was about 3 inches wide and the edge was already finished. Less work for me! (I also found white trim and made a mental note to remember that for next time.)
I did these alterations sitting in my son’s hospital room at Primary Children’s so I apologize that the pictures don’t have the best lighting. Yup, that same morning I went shopping was the same morning my son crashed on his skateboard and landed himself in the hospital for 4 days. You can read more about that here if you would like.
Before I stitched the trim onto the hem of the dress I Pinned it in place because I wanted to make sure it would look alright and match.
Then tried it on and modeled it for my hubby. It was perfect!
I didn’t want the stitching to show on outside of the dress so I opted for hand stitching and took extra care to only stitch on the inside layer of the hem and not go all the way through.
I told a couple of people about my alteration and they all said they never would have guess and it looked like it should have been bought that way! That is exactly what I was going for.
I wish had taken a better picture, but it was dark at the event and all I had had was my iPhone camera so all of the pictures were a little fuzzy.
But I did get this great picture of my team and you can see my dress. I have to say that my absolutely most favorite part of my outfit was my hot pink heels. I love them!
What a great idea! I pretty frequently find dresses that are just a bit too short, so this is a good way to make them wearable!
Imagine being able to buy that fabric already ruffled. It was meant to be. You look great, and I love those heels, too.
You look great and those heels are pretty.
Awesome………!! Thanks for sharing such a great idea,I always loved such idea of other bloggers.
http://www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com
This is a really cute idea. I have a link party, and I would love it if you would link this post. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. You can find it at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/natural-translucent-face-powder-update.html
I hope to see you there. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
What a fantastic idea. Most of the time the dresses I find are too long or too short. The too long can be fixed with a chop and a hem, but now you’ve given me some ideas for the too short. Great idea and I hope your son is better now.
* Stopping by from Sweet Sharing Monday.
http://www.artisticexpressionsbyelisabeth.blogspot.com
Very crafty!! You’re brave trying that out I would of never thought of that. Laura stopping by from Real Momma and the Best of Your Best Blog Hop!
I love it, thanks so much for linking up at the the Best of Your Best Blog hop at Miss Information!
That ruffle is a great idea. I’ve done lace and ribbons before, but a ruffle is terrific!
That little ruffle looks great! Super smart idea, and you did a fabulous job stitching it 🙂 Stopping by from Winthrop Chronicles!
Nice !! love it!!
That’s brilliant and it makes the skirt look even more classy!
Looks great! I’ll have to try that!
Smart!! I have a few skirts that could use this!
Great job! Good pictures so that someone could actually follow your instructions. Thanks for linking up at Hookin On Hump Day!
I’ve often thought of doing this to short dresses but just have never had time. I think you’ve just motivated me to do it 🙂 Great job!
Serena
Thrift Diving
http://www.ThriftDiving.com
Looks great! I love crafty inventions! And to find trim that’s already finished – total bonus!
This is adorable.. what a great way to dress up and lengthen your skirt! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Well, look at how cute you look! Great job!! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
FABuLOUS!!! thanks for linking up to Ispy Refashion! I’ll be sharing your link on my FB page!
Great idea! Turned out so cute!
I had no idea you could buy ready-made ruffles! This post just may change my life 🙂 Darling dress, you look great!
Great idea – thanks for sharing.
A great idea, and really simple. Thanks.
Adorable! You made that look so easy! I will definitely have to follow you to get more tips for later. I really want to get into sewing more. I’m so ambitious about it but everything else seems to be taking up my time. Thank you for linking up with the Mommy Monday Hop. I’m following you now on everything!! <3
Your adorable and your ruffles are super sexy/girly! Pinned:) I posted DIY Doily Jacket this week:)
Hope your son is doing better too:)